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RE: Non religious theists?
February 10, 2010 at 5:39 am
How do you define religion then fr0d0? I believe it fulfils all the requirements to be called a religion:
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies
- Yes, Christians believe the universe / nature is the creation of God, and that life has a purpose, humans being God's chosen people.
usually involving devotional and ritual observances
- Reading of scripture, prayer, etc
and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
- 10 Commandments, Jesus' teaching.
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RE: Non religious theists?
February 10, 2010 at 6:14 am
I agree with some definitions of 'religion', but not the definitions of 'religious'.
Those being akin to 'dogged and blind adherance'.
'ritual observance' there is a no no.
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RE: Non religious theists?
February 10, 2010 at 6:38 am
Surely the definition of "religious" would be a person who follows a religion? I agree that it shouldn't be as vague as "dogged and blind adherance".
As for ritual observance in Christianity, I think the point is a debatable one, but in essence, that part of the definition is not an absolute requirement (denoted by the word "usually"). All sets of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe are religions, and all people who subscribe to these beliefs are religious.
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RE: Non religious theists?
February 10, 2010 at 7:45 am
religious does have a heavy connotation of dogged belief in the face or reason.. very similar to common uses of faith vs. belief. Faithful or devoted seems much less unrational.
"There ought to be a term that would designate those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus, since the word 'Christian' has been largely divorced from those teachings, and so polluted by fundamentalists that it has come to connote their polar opposite: intolerance, vindictive hatred, and bigotry." -- Philip Stater, Huffington Post
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
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RE: Non religious theists?
February 10, 2010 at 9:32 am
Well good or bad connotation, all you have to know really is that someone who is part of a "Religion" is "Religious" by definition whether they like it or not. That's ultimately what it means.
EvF
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RE: Non religious theists?
February 10, 2010 at 9:40 am
but everone speaks from their own perspective and doesn't qualify every word or label they slap on someone with the precursor, "by definition you are...." If a theist called me religious I would interpret his connotation differently than when an atheist does it. But yes, agreed by definition religious participate in religions.
"There ought to be a term that would designate those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus, since the word 'Christian' has been largely divorced from those teachings, and so polluted by fundamentalists that it has come to connote their polar opposite: intolerance, vindictive hatred, and bigotry." -- Philip Stater, Huffington Post
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
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RE: Non religious theists?
February 10, 2010 at 9:42 am
Well yeah. I only mean that you can't escape what you're defined as whether you like it or not - that doesn't change the meaning of the words(s).
EvF
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RE: Non religious theists?
February 10, 2010 at 9:44 am
but because language also involves interpretation of meaning (on both sides) you are much more than your definition my friend.
"There ought to be a term that would designate those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus, since the word 'Christian' has been largely divorced from those teachings, and so polluted by fundamentalists that it has come to connote their polar opposite: intolerance, vindictive hatred, and bigotry." -- Philip Stater, Huffington Post
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
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RE: Non religious theists?
February 10, 2010 at 10:18 am
Well definitions are clearly defined in dictionaries, however much someone wants the word "atheist" to mean "Pineapple Squash" it doesn't make it so. And however much someone else, on the other hand, may dislike it to mean someone who doesn't believe in God(s), and that they'd much rather interpret it as meaning "A wooden monkey that every day likes to ride horses and fall off every couple of minutes." - it doesn't make it so.
EvF
